System and method for optimizing memory usage in a universal controlling device

ABSTRACT

A method for optimizing memory usage in a device having a universal controlling application includes receiving into the device data for use in configuring the universal controlling application wherein the data is used to identify from within a library of command code sets stored in a memory of the device a command code set that is appropriate for use in commanding functional operations of the appliance and causing a non-identified one or more of the command code sets of the library of command code sets stored in the memory of the device to be discarded to thereby create freed space in the memory of the device.

RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/788,561, filed on Mar. 15, 2013, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates generally to remote control systems and, moreparticularly, to systems and methods for optimizing memory usage in auniversal controlling device.

Manufacturers typically provide a remote control with an appliance and,as such, different appliance types of different manufacturers are oftencommanded with different remote controls. To minimize the number ofindividual remote controls a user requires, universal controllingdevices have been developed. In this regard, universal controllingdevices having a library of command codes for commanding variousfunctional operations of various types of appliances of variousmanufacturers are well known. By way of example only, universalcontrolling devices are described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos.4,959,810, 5,255,313, 5,552,917, and 7,907,222, each of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The command codes for controlling functional operations of appliances ofvarious types and various manufacturers, i.e., a library or set ofcommand codes, are often prestored in the memory of the universalcontrolling device. The user then interacts with the universalcontrolling device to identify to the universal controlling device whichappliance(s) the user desires to control, i.e., the user manually entersan appliance or brand code, usually obtained from a tabulation in aprinted user manual or the like, into the universal controlling deviceand the universal controlling uses that user provided identityinformation to access those preprogrammed codes that are appropriate forcontrolling functional operations of the identified appliance(s). Inthis regard, examples of known methods for performing an initial setupof a universal controlling device may be found in, for example, theabove mentioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,959,810 and 7,907,222 as well as U.S.Pat. No. 5,614,906, entitled “Method for Selecting a Remote ControlCommand Set,” and U.S. Pat. No. 4,703,359 entitled “Universal RemoteControl Unit with Model Identification Capability,” each of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety. An additional systemand method for setting up a universal remote control is also disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 6,650,248.

SUMMARY

While known setup methods do work for their intended purpose, thefollowing describes exemplary systems and methods for optimizing theusage of memory within a universal controlling device, particularly uponconfiguration of a universal controlling device. The following alsodescribes exemplary systems and methods for distributing command codesets to one or more devices in a home theater environment. Stillfurther, the following describes exemplary system and method foroptimizing the usage of memory to facilitate upgrades of a device havinga universal controlling application.

A better appreciation of the objects, advantages, features, properties,and relationships of the systems and methods described hereinafter willbe obtained from the detailed description and accompanying drawingswhich set forth illustrative embodiments which are indicative of thevarious ways in which the principles of the systems and methods may beemployed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For use in better understanding the exemplary systems and methodsdescribed herein, reference may be had to preferred embodiments shown inthe following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system in which the universal remotecontrol may be used;

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of an exemplary universal remote controlfor use in the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram view of various components of theexemplary universal remote control of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary method for optimizing memory usageemployed in connection with a process for configuring a universalcontrolling device; and

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary method for optimizing memory usageemployed in connection with a process for upgrading a universalcontrolling device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following describes systems and methods for, among other things,optimizing memory usage in a universal controlling device.

By way of example, FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system 110 wherein auniversal controlling device 100 may be configured and then used tocommand/control functional operations of various appliances, such as theillustrated cable set top box 102, TV set 104, VCR 106, and/or the like.

For use in remotely commanding an appliance to perform an operationalfunction, the universal controlling device 100, an example of which isillustrated in FIG. 2, includes a set of command keys within a keymatrix wherein the command keys within the key matrix are each assignedto one or more operational functions. In this regard, the universalcontrolling device 100 has command keys for use in controlling commonoperational functions, i.e., functions that are usually widely supportedby devices of a common device type (e.g., power 202, digit tuning 204,volume control 208, channel up/down control 206, volume up/down control208, media transport 210, navigation 214, etc.) The universalcontrolling device 100 also includes mode keys 212, e.g., “AUX,” “CBL,”“VCR,” and “TV,” the activation of which places the universalcontrolling device 100 into a mode to transmit commands to a particulartype or types of appliance. Still further, the universal controllingdevice 100 may include programmable keys, e.g., for assigning macrocommands thereto. For configuring the universal controlling device 100,a setup key 208 is also provided. It will be appreciated that, whileillustrated as hard keys, the keys of the universal remote control 100may be implemented as soft keys, for example, by being displayed on anLCD touch screen or the like and the universal controlling device 100could be implemented as a stand-alone remote control or as an appresident on a smart device such as a smart phone, tablet computer, orthe like.

By way of further example, referring to FIG. 3, the universalcontrolling device 100 may include, as needed for a particularapplication, one or more processors 300 coupled to a memory devices(such as a ROM memory 308, a RAM memory 310, and/or non-volatileread/write memory 306), a key matrix 302 (e.g., physical buttons, atouch screen display, or a combination thereof), an internal clock andtimer 301, transmission circuit(s) 304 (e.g., IR and/or RF), receivercircuit(s) and/or transceiver circuit(s) (e.g., IR and/or RF—notillustrated), a means 303 to provide visual feedback to the consumer(e.g, LED, display, and/or the like), means to provide audio feedback tothe user (e.g., a speaker—not illustrated), a power supply 307, and/or aserial I/O port (e.g., a jack or contacts—not illustrated). As will beunderstood by those of skill in the art, the non-transitory memorydevice(s) include executable instructions that are intended to beexecuted by the processor 300 to control the operation of the universalremote control 100. In this manner, the processor 100 may be programmedto control the various electronic components within the universalcontrolling device 100, e.g., to monitor the power supply 307, to causethe transmission of signals, display icons and/or HTML pages, etc. Thenon-volatile read/write memory 306, for example, an EEPROM or the like,may be provided to store setup data and parameters as necessary suchthat data is not required to be reloaded after battery changes. It is tobe understood that the memory devices may take the form of any type ofnon-transitory readable media, such as, for example, a Smart Card,memory stick, a chip, a hard disk, a magnetic disk, and/or an opticaldisk. Still further, it will be appreciated that some or all of theillustrated memory devices may be physically incorporated within thesame IC chip as the microprocessor 300 (a so called “microcontroller”)and, as such, they are shown separately in FIG. 3 only for the sake ofclarity.

To cause the universal controlling device 100 to perform an action, theuniversal controlling device 100 is adapted to be responsive to events,such as a sensed consumer interaction with the key matrix 302, receiptof a transmission, etc. In response to an event being detectedappropriate instructions and/or data within the memory devices areexecuted and/or accessed. For example, when a command key is activatedon the universal controlling device 100, the universal controllingdevice 100 may execute instructions that cause a code data valuecorresponding to the activated command key to be retrieved from acommand code data set stored in the memory device and to cause theretrieved code data value to be transmitted to an intended targetappliance in a format recognizable by that appliance. It will beappreciated that the instructions within the memory devices can be usednot only to cause the transmission of command codes and/or data to theappliances but also to perform local operations. While not limiting,local operations that may be performed by the universal controllingdevice 100 include displaying information/data, favorite channel setup,macro button setup, command function key relocation, etc. Since examplesof local operations can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,481,256, 5,959,751,and 6,014,092 they will not be discussed in greater detail herein forthe sake of brevity.

To configure the universal controlling device 100, i.e., to identifywhich command code set(s) within the library of command code sets are tobe used to command operational functions of one or more intended targetappliances, configuration information is provided to the universalcontrolling device 100. Such configuration information can be providedto the universal controlling device 100 in a number of different mannerssuch as via use of the keypad to enter an appliance code or a quicksetup code, via the reading of a barcode or a RFID label, via acommunication from an appliance, etc. Exemplary method for configuringthe controlling device 100 to command functional operations of one ormore intended target appliances are described in, by way of non-limitingexample only, the incorporated U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,959,810, 7,046,161,7,386,398, and 7,907,222.

Turning now to FIG. 4, in an exemplary embodiment a universalcontrolling device 100 is distributed with a complete library of commandcode sets 402 stored in one or more memory devices 400. As alsoillustrated, memory device 400 will also include other data and/orinstructions required to make the universal controlling device 100operable as intended. As additionally illustrated, when the universalcontrolling device 100 is configured to command functional operations ofone or more intended target appliances those command code sets withinthe library of command code sets 402 that have not been selected for useas a result of the configuration process can be discarded (e.g., thedata/information in the corresponding memory space can be deleted orotherwise designated as being overwritable). As a result, the memory 400will now have free memory space 406 for use in storing further dataand/or instructions in addition to the command codes set(s) selectedfrom the library 402′ as a result of the configuration process and theinitially stored data and/or instructions 404 provided to make theuniversal controlling device 100 operable as desired. Using the now freememory space, the universal controlling device 100 can be updated withcommand data for commanding extended functional operations of one ormore of the intended target appliances, with further GUI elements, etc.as described in U.S. Published Application No. 2006/0200538 which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Similarly, the nowfree memory space can be updated with functionality that would be usefulwith the underlying device providing the universal controllingcapabilities, e.g., the device ships with programming that only supportsbasic accelerometer-based flip detection and, after configuration of thecontrolling device application, sufficient space is freed forinstallation of programming that will support more advancedaccelerometer gesture recognition. Yet further, the free memory spacecould be utilized to store scripts or byte code for virtual machines inadvanced devices.

To provide flexibility in the event that a consumer needs to configurethe universal controlling device 100 to command functional operations ofa further appliance, for example an appliance being newly added to thehome, the universal controlling device 100 can cause the entirety of orthe un-used portions of the pre-installed library of command code setsto be sent to an appliance capable of communicating with the universalcontrolling device 100, such as set top box 102, for backup prior to itsdeletion from the memory device 400 of universal controlling device 100.This optional method for backing up the library of command code setswill be seen to be particularly useful in instances where the consumerdoes not have the ability to access a database of command codes from anexternal source of information, such as from an Internet server. Thebacked up library of command code sets could then be returned to theuniversal controlling device 100 in whole or in part as needed. In thisregard, it will be appreciated that appliance configuration informationcould be provided to the universal controlling device 100, directly tothe set top box 102, or the like to thereby cause the set top box 102 toprovide to the universal controlling device 100 only that portion of thecommand code set library that is needed to adapt the universalcontrolling device 100 to command functional operations of an intendedtarget appliance indicated by such configuration information.

In such a system, the set top box 102 could also be the source of anyadditional data and/or instructions that are to be installed into thememory device 400 of the universal controlling device 100 once theunneeded information in the memory device 400 has been discarded asdescribed above. For example, once the set top box 102 receives anindication from the universal controlling device 100 that memory spacehas been freed, e.g., a signal indicative of the successful discardingof the unneeded command codes sets being issued to the set top box 102from the universal controlling device 100, completion of the backupbeing detected by the set top box 102, or the like, the set top box 102can transmit any such upgrade information to the universal controllingdevice 100 as described above. Thus, if the set top box 102 is a devicethat is adapted to respond to signals from the universal controllingdevice 100 wherein the signals are intended to have data that isindicative of motion made with the universal controlling device 100, theinstructions for adapting the universal controlling device 100 totransmit such signals can be prestored on the set top box 102 andprovided to the universal controlling device 100 for storage in the freememory space as described above. In this manner, individual appliancescan have stored thereon any instructions that would be needed forprogramming the universal controlling device 100 to operate with,command, etc. any functionalities that might otherwise not be usablewith the programming as originally provisioned with the universalcontrolling device 100. As will be appreciated, such a system allows forthe provision of a base universal controlling device 100 that can beupgraded as needed with overly burdening the memory of the universalcontrolling device 100 with programming for supporting appliancefunctionalities that would not otherwise be applicable to the user'shome configuration.

In the described system in which the universal controlling device 100 isadapted to bi-directionally communicate with an appliance, such as settop box 102, it is contemplated that the appliance could also beprovisioned with and a library of command codes sets. In this instance,the universal controlling device 100 that would be used with the set topbox 102 (e.g., a universal controlling device that would be a part of asystem that would be installed by a cable or satellite servicesprovider) can then be provisioned with only those command code sets thatare known to be or likely to be missing from the library of command codesets provisioned with the set top box 102, for example command code setsfor televisions, DVRs, etc. that have been introduced into the marketafter the set top box 102 was manufactured and distributed to theservice provider. To this end, the build of the library of command codesets to be provisioned in the set top box 102 would be given a firsttime stamp and the build of the possible library of command code sets tobe provisioned in the universal controlling device 100 would be given asecond time stamp. When the second time stamp is later in time than thefirst time stamp, the build of the library of command code sets to beprovisioned in the set top box 102 would be compared to the build of thelibrary of command codes sets to be provisioned in the universalcontrolling device 100 with the command codes sets found in both beingremoved from the build of the library of command codes sets to beprovisioned in the universal controlling device 100 prior to the libraryof command code sets being stored in the memory of the universalcontrolling device 100. As will be appreciated, storing in the memory ofthe universal controlling device 100 only a subset of a library ofcommand code sets will likewise free space in the memory of theuniversal controlling device 100 which free memory space could be usedfor other purposes as described herein.

When the universal controlling device 100 has prestored therein only thecommand code sets that cannot be found in the library of command codesets provisioned to the set top box 102 with which the universalcontrolling device 100 is to be used, configuration of the universalcontrolling device 100 may require that some of the command code setsstored in the memory of the set top box 102 be transferred to theuniversal controlling device 100. The identification of which commandcode sets to transfer to the universal controlling device 100 can beperformed in any of the manners previously described. In addition, it iscontemplated that the command code sets prestored in the memory of theuniversal controlling device 100 could be transferred to other legacycontrolling device (i.e., devices in need of an upgrade) either directlyor by being installed in and later transferred from the set top box 102.In the latter case it will be appreciated that the set top box 102,having received command code sets from the universal controlling device100, will thus have an updated and complete library of command code setswhich is particularly useful in instances where the set top box 102 isintended to command functional operations of further appliances in ahome theater system or otherwise intended to be a source of command codesets for use by other devices in the home.

In instances where a master or super-remote control is to be used toprovide command codes sets for use in a consumer's universal controllingdevice 100 or a system which includes the universal controlling device100 and a set top box 102, as is commonly done with professionalinstallers, a time stamp for the library of command code sets installedin the set top box 102 could be obtained (for example by keying in aSKU, scanning a barcode, reading a RFID tag, etc.) to thereby identifywhich command code sets in a master library of command code sets, e.g.,as stored in the master or super-remote control, are likely to bemissing from the library of command codes sets installed in the set topbox 102. The identified command codes sets could then be transferred tothe consumer's universal controlling device 100 and/or the set top box102 for the purposed above described. As will again be appreciated, sucha system removes the need for expensive/larger memory sized remotes usedfor the masses, and only requires a “special SKU” or the like to be usedon appliances, e.g., set top boxes, that are provided by installers.Such a system can also be used in a self-install scenario where the userhas requested a Multi-room system in which there is no need for allremotes to be provided with a full library of command code sets and theconcept of one super-remote, plus other controlling devices havingsmaller command code set memory footprints applies. Yet further, it willbe appreciated that such a system allows for the pushing out ofconfiguration changes to a set top box 102 (if the set top box in notInternet connected) through the use of controlling devices.

In a system design supporting over the air or the like type of firmwareupgrades of the universal controlling device 100 it is usually requiredto maintain the current firmware image while downloading a new firmwareimage, and even at times to keep a golden image if all goes wrong withthe device. These requirements thus make over the air firmware upgradesa less attractive option to customers. However, it is proposed that in adesign of a device having co-processors each having internal nonvolatilememory, such as a device that is using a secondary chip for portexpansion like a device having a MAXQ to handle QWERTY side keys, thisadditional memory can also be used for secondary storage during afirmware upgrade process. For example, during a firmware upgrade, memoryspace in the secondary chip can be freed, e.g., be erased at thebeginning of the upgrade process—which would of course make the QWERTYfunctionality of the device in this example temporarilynon-functional—after the original programming image of the secondarychip is backed-up to a target side memory so it can be retrieved afterthe firmware update of the main chip is done and the original firmwareimage or received firmware upgrade image as stored in the freed memoryspace is erased therefrom. For example, the downloaded firmware upgradecan be temporarily stored in the secondary memory and then be verifiedbefore being transferred to the primary memory or the original firmwarecan be temporarily stored in the secondary memory and erased afterverification of the received firmware upgrade as stored in the primarymemory. In either case, the backed image of the secondary memory, forexample as stored in an external device such as the set top box 102, canbe restored to the secondary memory after such processing. Anon-limiting exemplary method for performing such an operation isillustrated in FIG. 5.

While specific embodiments of the present invention have been describedin detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatvarious modifications and alternatives to those details could bedeveloped in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Forexample, and as previously noted, the functionality of the universalcontrolling device 100 can be included in other smart devices such asPDAs, personal computers, home devices, or the like. Further, while theexemplary embodiment above is presented in terms of interactions betweena set top box and a universal remote control, it will be appreciatedthat many other appliance types, e.g., TVs, PVRs, DVDs, PCs, etc. may besubstituted for the set top box without altering the spirit of theinvention. Accordingly, it will be understood that the particulararrangements and procedures disclosed are meant to be illustrative onlyand not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be giventhe full breadth of the appended claims and any equivalents thereof.

All of the cited patents and patent applications are hereby incorporatedby reference in their entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for optimizing memory usage in a devicehaving a universal controlling application, comprising: receiving intothe device data for use in configuring the universal controllingapplication wherein the data is used to identify from within a libraryof command code sets stored in a memory space of the device a commandcode set that is appropriate for use in commanding functional operationsof the appliance; causing a non-identified one or more of the commandcode sets of the library of command code sets stored in the memory spaceof the device to be moved to another memory device to thereby free thememory space of the device; and providing a signal to a server device toindicate that the memory space of the device has been freed and that theserver device can transmit to the device upgrade data for the universalcontrolling application; and storing upgrade data received from theserver device in the freed memory space of the device.
 2. The method asrecited in claim 1, wherein the another memory device is associated withthe server device.
 3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein theserver device comprises a set top box.
 4. The method as recited in claim1, wherein the signal provided to the server device includes thenon-identified one or more of the command code sets of the library ofcommand code sets stored in the memory space of the device.
 5. Themethod as recited in claim 4, wherein the server device comprises a settop box.